Ten Winners Selected for Hwango-dong Gold Earrings, Hojakdo, and More
The award-winning entries from the “2025 National Museum Costume Contest,” hosted by the National Museum of Korea, are drawing attention.
Participant dressed with gold earrings from Hwango-dong, Gyeongju. Screenshot from social networking service (SNS)
On September 12, the National Museum of Korea announced the winners of this year’s contest through its official blog. The “National Museum Costume Contest” is an annual event held at the museum, where participants recreate exhibits through costume and makeup. According to the museum, a total of 83 people participated in this year’s contest, which was conducted through an online preliminary application. Out of these, 10 were selected as outstanding entries. The list of winners includes participants who drew inspiration from various exhibits such as the gold earrings from Hwango-dong, “Hojakdo,” “Goryeo Celadon,” and the “Seated Stone Medicine Buddha.”
"Used Seven Cans of Gold Spray Over Ten Days"
Among the winners, the standout is participant A, who recreated the Silla artifact “Gold Earrings from Hwango-dong, Gyeongju” (Treasure No. 2001). Even before the results were announced, A attracted attention by posting photos of the costume on social networking services (SNS). Together with an acquaintance, A dressed up as a pair of gold earrings, each taking one earring, painting their entire bodies gold, and drawing attention with the jingling ornaments that moved with every step. A commented, “I used seven cans of gold spray to make this,” adding, “It took ten days to complete the work.”
Other winning entries were inspired by exhibits such as “Hojakdo,” the “Horse and Rider-Shaped Clay Figurine,” and “Shakyamuni Buddha and Many Treasures Buddha.” A museum official stated, “This event was organized to respond to the growing interest in traditional culture among young people and to help spread K-culture by connecting museum heritage with themes that resonate globally.”
The awards ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on September 27 at the museum’s open plaza. The event will feature live performances and a photo session for the audience. Twenty “Best Dressed” visitors who attend the museum in costume will be selected and presented with popular items from the National Museum of Korea’s cultural merchandise line “Muze,” including the “Magpie and Tiger Badge” and the “Black Hat String Ballpoint Pen.” In addition, a male dance influencer dressed as the “Lion Boys,” major characters from “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” will make a surprise appearance and perform on stage.
Yoo Hongjun, Director of the National Museum of Korea, said, “I hope this event will widely promote the charm of Korean traditional culture and become a festival that everyone can enjoy together.”
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